The Philippines has been blessed with a lot of natural resources, but many agree that our country’s biggest asset is the people – in particular, the young and talented workforce that belongs to the millennial generation. According to estimates, about one third of the country’s population is made up of millennials, those born after 1980 and reached young adulthood by 2000. In the next decade or so, it is projected that millennials will compose more than 50 percent of the global workforce.
Millennials are continuous learners, collaborators, achievement-oriented, socially conscious and highly educated, says business.com, a California-based digital media company. One characteristic of millennials is that they seek more than just a paycheck, with more than two thirds asserting that they want to contribute in making the world a better place. A survey released by the US-based HR Policy Foundation disclosed that “more than two-thirds of employers report their Millennial workforce is above average or exceptional.” Consequently, more and more companies are beginning to employ millennials, and 85 percent of those surveyed admit that their policies are being tweaked to attract the young workforce.
One of the companies that had recognized early on the potential of millennials and had incorporated them in the workforce is Alsons Power Group, whose Mindanao-based subsidiaries such as the Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) has become an employer of choice among young Mindanaoans. At $570 million, the SEC’s 210-megawatt power plant is the single largest investment in Sarangani province and the region. The first 105-MW unit of SEC’s coal-fired plant is expected to operate this year, with the full 210-MW capacity to be fully operational by 2018.
Interestingly, more women are being employed in an industry that is normally dominated by males.
“I wanted to work in SEC because the company can give me a better future for my career and personal growth,” says Geraldine Usman, who works as a control operator. Working in an industry dominated by males is “not really an issue for me. Being female is not a hindrance in performing my responsibilities. I have been fortunate not to experience any discrimination as a result of being a female engineer,” she adds.
The same sentiment is echoed by 27-year-old Rochie Hollero, a mechanical engineering graduate, who works as data analyst. She is optimistic that her employment with SEC provides many opportunities for growth particularly since she gets to learn new aspects of the job that were not taught in school,
Like many other Mindanaoans, Rochie and Geraldine want to correct misconceptions people have about the region, in particular the mistaken impression that the whole of Mindanao is chaotic and engaged in conflict.
“People here in Mindanao are not violent but peace loving,” states Dandy Mala-ay, a 25-year-old mechanical engineering graduate who works as plant operator. “Mindanao is the second largest island of the Philippines, and the terrorism that is happening in some places should not make them generalize that the whole area is a war zone,” adds Geraldine.
It’s not uncommon for rural residents to aspire for employment in urban centers like Cebu and Metro Manila, and some even set their eyes on greener pastures abroad. But for these Mindanao youth, leaving is not a compelling force because their work with SEC has allowed them to earn without leaving their families. “When you’re happy with your work and you don’t get homesick, then you become more efficient,” shares Roxan Delmo.
“People from outside Mindanao think we don’t have opportunities to work in big companies, or that we don’t have the necessary skills to work outside,” remarks Eiffel Tapan, an administrative assistant. “(Since) there is opportunity for employment here in Sarangani, I don’t see the need to look for work outside,” shares Eiffel.
The fact that they are working in a power plant by a big conglomerate based in Mindanao has made them cognizant of the economic contributions that SEC and Alsons Power give to the region. A lot of the people being hired by SEC are from Mindanao, and when the power plant becomes fully operational, it will help not only in providing more employment to the locals but also in assuaging the power problem in the region.
“Having a big company like SEC in Sarangani will help the government earn more in terms of revenue, so the presence of the power plant is very helpful,” avers Rochie Hollero.
“The presence of SEC provides employment to the locals and other qualified individuals in neighboring communities. Engineers in Mindanao do not have to go to Luzon, Visayas or even abroad just to earn a living. Furthermore, the power crisis in Mindanao will be alleviated, and government will have earnings that will fund more projects,” Geraldine observes.
For Geraldine, Rochie, Roxan, Eiffel and Dandy, the decision to stay and work in Mindanao is a choice that they have consciously made to help in the region’s economic development and empower the people in the process. Driven and passionate, these millennials believe they can make a difference, and make the world – or at least the places where they live and work – a better place.